August 8th is International Cat Day, and as an experienced feline behaviorist and advocate, I’m excited to share my insights on how you can celebrate International Cat Day with compassion while also making a lasting impact on cat welfare.
This global celebration is an opportunity to deepen our appreciation for our feline companions and take concrete action to improve the lives of cats around the world.
International Cat Day creates a catalyst to raise awareness and action in support of cat welfare. Here are some thoughtful ways to celebrate the day, in line with a holistic approach to cat care and welfare.
Adopting a Cat: The Perfect Prescription for Happiness
Recent longitudinal studies have found a compelling correlation between cat ownership and improved mental and physical health: spending time with a cat has been shown to lower cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and even reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Additionally, the presence of a cat can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation, especially among older people and those living alone.
The gentle purring of a contented cat has also been shown to have therapeutic benefits, operating at frequencies that promote tissue regeneration and bone density.
Dual Adoption: Double the Love, Double the Profit
If you’re considering adopting a cat, it’s worth exploring the option of bringing two cats into your home at the same time. Contrary to popular belief, cats are inherently social creatures with complex emotional needs, and adopting two cats at the same time has many benefits.
1. Mutual socialization: Cats housed together often form strong bonds and engage in mutual grooming and play behaviors that improve their overall well-being.
2. Reduced Anxiety: Having a familiar cat around can make the transition to a new environment much easier and minimize stress-related behaviors.
3. Enhanced physical activity: Two cats will naturally engage in interactive play, promoting healthier weight management and cognitive stimulation.
4. Reduced chances of problem behaviors: Cats who have feline companions are less likely to develop destructive habits and excessive meowing due to boredom or loneliness.
Nurture: A vital link in the chain of caring
For those who aren’t yet ready to make a permanent decision, fostering is a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference to cat welfare. As a foster parent, you play an important role in:
1. Socialization: Many cats who enter shelters need to be gradually introduced to human interaction. Foster homes provide a safe, low-stress environment for this process.
2. Medical Recovery: Cats recovering from illness or surgery often recover faster in a home environment, away from the stresses of a shelter.
3. Behavioral assessment: Foster parents can provide detailed information about a cat’s personality and preferences, making for a more successful permanent adoption.
4. Reducing Capacity: By temporarily housing cats in foster homes, shelters are able to house more animals who need immediate intervention.
Many organizations provide comprehensive support to foster pets, including veterinary care, nutrition, and behavioral guidance. Foster-adoption programs have shown particularly promising results, with high success rates for permanent placements.
Community engagement: a collaborative approach to cat welfare
Animal shelters across the country are facing unprecedented challenges. Community participation is essential to ensure the ongoing well-being of our feline friends. Please consider effective ways to contribute:
1. In-Kind Donations: Many shelters maintain wish lists of needed supplies, from high-quality nutritional foods to enrichment toys.
2. Skilled volunteers: They bring specialized knowledge to the table, such as marketing, writing grant applications, and maintaining facilities.
3. Socialization Programs: Consistent, gentle human interaction dramatically improves a cat’s adoptability, and many shelters offer structured volunteer socialization opportunities.
4. Transportation Assistance: Facilitate the movement of cats between shelters and to veterinary appointments.
Community cats: a nuanced approach to population management
It is important to recognize that not all cats thrive in a traditional home environment. Many feral and semi-feral cats are adapted to outdoor life and can live healthy lives in managed colonies. Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNVR) programs are the gold standard for humane population control of these community cats. Benefits of TNVR include:
1. Immediate population stabilization
2. Improve your cat’s health and lifespan
3. Reduce strain on evacuation shelter resources
4. Reduced nuisance behaviors related to mating and territoriality
The TNVR program has been proven to be significantly more cost-effective and humane than traditional capture-and-euthanasia approaches.
Kitten season: when intervention is key
If you find an outdoor kitten, you need to respond thoughtfully and informed. Contrary to popular belief, immediate removal is not always in the kitten’s best interest. Consider the following protocol:
1. Watch the mother cat from a distance for 10-12 hours to make sure she is caring for her kittens.
2. If the mother cat is present, provide food and water nearby, but do not interfere unless the kittens are ill or in immediate danger.
3. Once your kitten is approximately 8 weeks old, implement a TNVR plan for the entire household.
4. If the mother is truly absent and the kittens are very young (eyes still closed), seek immediate veterinary guidance on proper feeding and care protocols.
By approaching cat welfare with nuance, compassion and evidence-based practice, we can create communities where cats and people can coexist harmoniously and benefit from each other’s presence.
Remember, every act of kindness towards our feline friends ripples out and creates a more compassionate world for all species.
Quick Checklist✅
1. Attend an adoption event: Many shelters hold special adoption events on International Cat Day. If you consider attending with an open mind, you might just meet a new feline family member.
2. Foster for a day: Inquire with your local rescue group about short-term foster opportunities. Even a day of respite care can make a big difference for a rescue cat.
3. TNVR Workshops: Organize or participate in a community workshop on trap-neuter-vaccinate-return practices. Educating others about this humane approach to community cat management can have far-reaching effects.
4. Shelter Supply Drive: Coordinate a donation drive to a local animal shelter, focusing on much-needed items like high-quality cat food, cat litter, enrichment toys, etc.
5. Raise awareness about cat health: Share important information on social media platforms about preventive cat health care, such as the importance of regular veterinary checkups and indoor environmental maintenance.
6. Community Cat Care Station: Set up a feeding and watering station in a safe, quiet spot for community cats in your neighborhood.
7. Cat-focused fundraiser: Organize a virtual or in-person event to raise funds for a local cat rescue or TNR program. Consider themed activities like a cat photo contest or a cat quiz night.
8. Educational Outreach: Partner with local schools and community centers to provide presentations on responsible cat ownership, the benefits of adoption, and the importance of spay/neuter.
9. Volunteer: Spend a few hours socializing cats at your local shelter, helping to rehome them and improving their overall health.
10. Advocate for cat-friendly policies: Reach out to local government officials to discuss implementing or improving cat-friendly initiatives in your area, such as supporting TNVR programs or creating safe outdoor spaces for community cats.
Do you find it a hassle? At the very least, take the time to read cat books and learn more about cat care, cat breeds, and cat behavior.
By taking part in these activities, we are not only honouring the spirit of International Cat Day, but also contributing to the wider goals of cat welfare and responsible pet keeping.
Each action, no matter how small, contributes to a world where cats are valued, protected and given the opportunity to thrive.
As we celebrate International Cat Day, let’s remember that our feline friends provide us with companionship, joy and numerous health benefits all year round.
In return, we have the privilege and responsibility to ensure their well-being, whether they live in the same home as us or in our community.
Through cat adoption, foster care, community engagement, and knowledgeable management of cat populations, we can create a more compassionate world for all cats.
How will you celebrate?
